On Thursday the 24th of March I was sent to the emergency room towards the end of the school day because of my high heart rate (156 resting!) and my blood pressure was abnormally high as well. My fantastic department head sat with me in the hospital until my mother drove 5 hours to be by my side. They gave me a shot that the doctor said could "drug a horse" and I sat there still a ball full on nervous energy. The doctor was amazed. This was the same medication I had been prescribed a week earlier for my anxiety. Long story short I was admitted to the hospital and I spent 4 days there and came home with a whole bunch of meds that I never thought I'd be taking until I was way past 40 and the realization that teaching almost killed me.
I left the hospital on Sunday evening. Monday evening when I went to take the dogs out, in my mailbox were about 80 pieces of construction paper made into get well cards for me. The next day I received 2 big cards from two of my other classes and even one from the German class! They were all sweet cards and I wanted to share with you some of the better ones. I must preface this by telling you the rumor around school is I had a heart attack and the kids think they did it to me. So here are some of the better quotes from the several cards I received:
-Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Glad you're not dead, Victor and I made this card for you!
-Ms. N,
When I heard you had a heart attack I panicked. I thought you were being lazy and didn't want to deal with us on Friday but I was wrong....
-Ms. N..
Just because I sit in the back of class and don't pay attention (usually I sleep) does not mean I don't care. Get well soon.
-Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, You had a heart attack and we miss you!
-Dear Ms. N.,
Last Friday I thought you were taking a three day weekend. Little did I know you went through cardiac arrest. I feel extremely bad for you and I hope you get better soon.
Ms N.- Get well soon and don't forget to take your medicine
-Hope you get some rest Ms. N. I know I need some.
-Get well soon. Have good health. Sorry that I've been such a little shit.
-I hope your heart gets happy again and doesn't blow up. I love you (This one was from Tyler with an i and in the shape of a heart).
-Ms. N. get back soon so we can talk March Madness some more.
-Ms. N. I didn't think our class was bad enough to give you heart problems!
Ms. N. I think when you come back we should have a fiesta to celebrate your buena salud (good health). I know I'm your favorite student. I also know where you live.
...my grandma has had major heart problems for two years now. I don't know how it feels but I do know the dangers of it...but I'm glad you are okay.
I'll bet 95% of them were signed "your favorite student". Some didn't even have names on them...just that. It's nice to know that in the self centered, socially guarded minds of my students that even though they act like big turds sometimes....that they care.
I hope you enjoyed those as much as I did!
